Inside Report: No. 3 Mavericks (1-1) at No. 4 Thunder (1-1) — Game 3 preview

Earl K. Sneed previews Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, as the Dallas Mavericks try to rekindle their defensive intensity on the road after the Oklahoma City Thunder's offensive explosion in Game 2 tied the series at 1-1.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Although the Dallas Mavericks would have preferred that their wake-up call not come in the form of a defeat, the team enters Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals knowing that it will have to rekindle its defensive intensity to reclaim the edge in the series.

Looking to return the favor after a 106-100 loss at home Thursday night to even the series at 1-1, the Mavericks enter Oklahoma City Arena on Saturday night well aware that they will have to rely on a renewed defensive mindset in order to slow down the NBA’s back-to-back scoring champion Kevin Durant, first-time All-Star Russell Westbrook, sixth man James Harden and the Thunder’s other deadly scorers. And after losing the home-court advantage in the series in one swoop, the Dallas squad steps into the Thunder’s backyard ready to battle a hostile crowd.

“They have the momentum,” Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki admitted after his team’s Game 2 loss. “So, we’ve got to go up there in a tough environment and a very loud building and execute and play Mavs basketball and get back to getting stops like we did in the first two series, and I like our chances.”

But the Mavs also acknowledge that their chances of stealing the home-court edge will also hinge on better defensive play, after the team didn’t allow 100 points in any of its first and second-round playoff games only to do so in both Games 1 and 2 in the Conference Finals. And with defense the center of Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle’s focus entering Game 3, the visitors from south on Interstate 35 will try to quiet both the Oklahoma City fans and the Thunder’s high-octane offense at the same time.

“I feel like we have got to play with a greater edge, for sure. I don’t think we’ve lost it, but I think we’ve got to play with more of an edge,” Carlisle said when comparing his team’s defensive intensity in Games 1 and 2 to the first two playoff series. “It’s something we talked about after Game 1, but sometimes you can talk about things, but until you get smashed in the face it doesn’t really hit you where things are at. And again, you look at 109 points being scored on you in two games, the fact that we won one of those games is a good thing, because defensively we’ve not been good in either game.”

“I mean I don’t even count the game that we won as a good defensive effort,” Mavericks center Tyson Chandler added, after watching the team’s seven-game playoff win streak come to an end. “I would say we won six games straight with great defensive effort and we got set up for that last game, because we won Game 1 here not playing great defense and I felt like we felt like we could just beat them, we could outscore them and just beat them. And regardless of if we can or not, that’s not the kind of habits we need to create.”

And much like the Mavericks’ regular-season success, when they battled their way through injuries and a season-worst six-game losing streak, Carlisle knows that his team will once again have to display the same level of resiliency with two games coming on the road before the series shifts back to Dallas. For that reason, the coach isn’t preaching to his players what worked well to collect two road wins against the Thunder earlier in the year, but instead reiterating that behind a strong defense the Mavericks too can steal a game on the road.

“We have been resilient. We’re gonna have to be resilient here. We have not played to the level in either game that we need to play to. We’re fortunate to have won the first game, but we’ve got to go into this next game like we’re down 0-2,” Carlisle concluded.

Note: The Mavericks will travel to Oklahoma City to face off with the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday night, with every game in the series coming every other day and tipping off at 8 p.m. CT, airing nationally on ESPN.

Watch parties for all Mavs away games will continue at the American Airlines Center. Watch parties will be inside the arena, and fans are encouraged to wear blue to support the Mavericks.

Join the Mavs Dancers, ManiAACs, Street Team, and Ro Parrish to watch the game inside the American Airlines Center. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase Mav Gear and other Mavs playoff apparel.

Parking is available in the Platinum Parking garage for $5. Food and beverages will be available for purchase (no outside food or beverages allowed).

The Mavericks will host Game 5 at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night, with the game tipping off at 8 p.m. CT and airing nationally on ESPN. Great seats are still available and tickets can be purchased by visiting the American Airlines Center box office, logging on to Mavs.com or by calling 214-747-MAVS (6287).

All remaining the Mavs’ home playoff games at American Airlines Center will be a MAVS ROYAL BLUE-OUT!

Every seat at the American Airlines Center will have a MAVS ROYAL BLUE playoff T-shirt placed in it. We need for you and every Mavs fan to show their Mavs pride. So, dress ready to put on your MAVS ROYAL BLUE playoff T-shirt when you get to your seat.